brank

(noun, verb)

noun

1. (usually in the plural) A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue

2. (obsolete, Britain, Scotland, dialect, usually in the plural) A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces.

3. (Britain, dialect) buckwheat

verb

1. To put someone in the branks

2. (Britain, Scotland, dialect) To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit.

3. (Scotland) To prance; to caper.